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Exposure Compensation and Metering Modes in Photography

"Sun gone down" captured by Bob G

Exposure compensation is what you can do to override the exposure settings set by the cameras metering

system. Assuming you have set the ISO to a specific level, eg. ISO 100, the metering system in your

camera measures the amount of light in the photo and tells you the aperture and shutter speed needed for

a correct exposure. There are usually 3 types of metering methods used in todays DSLR cameras.

Multi-Segment Metering

Most cameras use multi-segment metering as the default metering system. In Nikon cameras this is called

Matrix Metering. In Canon cameras it is referred to as Evaluative Metering. Other brands of camera mayhave slightly different terminology. This metering system measures the brightness in several areas in the

photo and finds an average (emphasis varies depending on the camera). This type of metering can be

fooled by more challenging lighting conditions such as strong backlighting.

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Strong backlighting conditions are where the amount of light on the background is far more intense than

the amount of light on the foreground area. This usually happens when you shoot a subject indoors, with a

brightly lit outdoor background.

Ideal lighting conditions are where there is a similar amount of light illuminating both the background

and foreground. Ideal lighting is where the cameras multi-segment metering does a good job.

Spot Metering

Nikon calls it Spot Metering, while Canon calls it Partial Metering. For pinpoint control on the area for

which the camera measures brightness, use spot metering if its available. This metering system only

samples a very small point within the photo (usually in the center) instead of several areas. You can press

the shutter release halfway to meter the desired area, hold the AE lock button, and then re-frame the shot.

Photo captured by Radu Stanescu

Alternatively, take an exposure reading with spot metering, note the aperture and shutter speed, and

switch to manual exposure mode. This enables you to focus on a subject which isnt what you measured

the exposure on.

Center Weighted Metering

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This metering method is designed for a simple straightforward portrait of a person, positioned in the

center of the frame. It measures the center area (in some cameras, the amount of area measured can be

set by the user) and bases its exposure recommendation on this area.

Exposure Compensation

Normally, exposure compensation is used in the semi-auto modes such as Aperture Priority and Shutter

Priority. This puts a certain degree of control (though not as complete as Manual exposure) in the hands

of the photographer.

In Aperture Priority mode, you can tell the camera to expose brighter by pressing the EV button (usually

indicated by a +/- icon) and shifting the control dial towards the positive (eg. +1 which means 1 stop

brighter). This is helpful in backlit conditions. In Nikon cameras the range of adjustment is all the way to

+5.

"sawtell secrets" captured by dan2452

In Manual exposure mode, you are essentially performing exposure compensation if you are using a

Aperture/Shutter combination that is not what is advised by the exposure meter.

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